Bicycle control device

Abstract

A bicycle control device is disclosed having a control lever that is operable in a first direction to operate the brake control mechanism, a second direction to operate the shift control mechanism in the pulling direction and a third direction to operate the shift control mechanism in the release direction. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, when viewed from the perspective of a rider on the bicycle, the first direction is the direction of movement of the lever toward the handlebar. The second direction is the direction of movement of the control lever downward and the third direction is the direction of movement of the control lever upward. In a more preferred embodiment, the second and third directions are perpendicular to the first direction.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A bicycle control device, comprising: 
       a brake control mechanism;  
       a shift control mechanism having a pulling direction and a release direction;  
       a first lever operatively connected to the brake control mechanism and the shift control mechanism;  
       a second lever operatively connected to the shift control mechanism and radially spaced apart from the first lever;  
       wherein the first lever is operable in a first direction to operate the brake control mechanism and operable in a second direction to operate the shift control mechanism in a pulling direction; and  
       wherein the second lever is operable in a third direction to operate the shift control mechanism in a release direction.  
     
     
       2. A bicycle control device, comprising: 
       a brake control mechanism;  
       a shift control mechanism having a pulling direction and a release direction, the shift control mechanism comprising a releasing plate, a winding plate and an operating plate;  
       a first lever fixedly connected to the operating plate, wherein the first lever is operable in a first direction to operate the brake control mechanism and operable in a second direction to operate the winding plate in a pulling direction; and  
       a second lever extending directly from the releasing plate and operable in a third direction to operate the shift control mechanism in a release direction.  
     
     
       3. A bicycle control device, comprising: 
       a brake control mechanism;  
       a shift control mechanism having a first control direction and a second control direction opposite the first control direction;  
       a first lever operatively connected to the brake control mechanism and the shift control mechanism;  
       a second lever operatively connected to the shift control mechanism and radially spaced apart from the first lever;  
       wherein the first lever is operable in a brake direction to operate the brake control mechanism and operable in a first shift direction to operate the shift control mechanism in the first control direction; and  
       wherein the second lever is operable in a second shift direction to operate the shift control mechanism in the second control direction.